Posts Tagged With: Holiday – Christmas

Book Review: And to All a Good Night by Felicitas Ivey

Reviewed by Nikyta

and-to-all-a-good-night.jpgTitle: And to All a Good Night
Author: Felicitas Ivey
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Kobbi & Wytt
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 50 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Kobbi Aackers was excited to have a traditional family Christmas with his younger sister Franzi, a famous rock star. But instead of the peaceful holiday he had planned, she’s turning it into a televised musical extravaganza, in a desperate bid for publicity.

Kobbi can adapt, especially since the show’s host Wytt Kanard is easy on the eyes and easy to work with, even if he doesn’t believe in Christmas at all. Wytt is alternatively amused and horrified at the simplicity that is Kobbi’s life and the enthusiasm he has for the holiday, all while taking care of his houseful of unexpected guests.

Maybe Kobbi can convince the cynical Wytt that Christmas isn’t an event to be managed, but something special to be shared. Maybe he can muster the courage to confess his attraction and offer Wytt a surprise present.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Champagne Kisses by Lynda Aicher

Reviewed by Morgan

champagnekisses_audiobookTitle: Champagne Kisses
Author: Lynda Aicher
Narrator: Tobias Silversmith
Heroes: Evan Cleary/Richard Patterson
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 1 Hour, 56 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: December 2, 2016
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: The Christmas Eve wedding Evan Cleary pulled together in four weeks is crashing down around him and taking his fledgling event planning business with it. With an empty altar and over a hundred guests arriving soon, he turns to the resistant, gorgeous brother of the runaway groom for help.

When Richard Patterson’s flamboyant brother storms out hours before he’s scheduled to marry his equally dramatic partner, Richard is left dealing with the fallout. The last thing he wants is more drama, yet he can’t deny his attraction to the effeminate event planner trying to salvage the wedding.

Evan thinks his crush on Richard is a lost cause, but one steaming kiss later, he learns different. What starts as a night of hot sex turns into a connection neither expected. But Evan knows their relationship is hopeless unless the ultra-conservative Richard can embrace every part of him—both in private and in public.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Morgan's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Guardian Angels by Geneva Vand

Reviewed by Nikyta

guardian-angelsTitle: Guardian Angels
Author: Geneva Vand
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Jake & Eli
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 36 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: One snowy evening, a car wreck in front of his toy store triggers terrible memories for Jake. Suddenly, he is in the midst of another winter storm—and another accident, one that not everyone walked away from. When he returns to the present, Jake is on the ground, being watched over by a guardian angel in the form of a kind man named Eli. Eli is no stranger to panic attacks and PTSD, and he’s happy to help Jake get home—where the weather forces him to remain for the night. For Jake, it could be the first step toward a life free from fear and loneliness.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Winter Oranges by Marie Sexton

Reviewed by Morgan

winteroranges_audiobookTitle: Winter Oranges
Author: Marie Sexton
Narrator: Nick J. Russo
Heroes: Jason Walker/Benjamin Ward
Genre: MM Contemporary/Fantasy
Length: 8 Hours, 4 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: December 7, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Jason Walker is a child star turned teen heartthrob turned reluctant B-movie regular who’s sick of his failing career. So he gives up Hollywood for northern Idaho, far away from the press, the drama of LA, and the best friend he’s secretly been in love with for years.

There’s only one problem with his new life: a strange young man only he can see is haunting his guesthouse. Except Benjamin Ward isn’t a ghost. He’s a man caught out of time, trapped since the Civil War in a magical prison where he can only watch the lives of those around him. He’s also sweet, funny, and cute as hell, with an affinity for cheesy ’80s TV shows. And he’s thrilled to finally have someone to talk to.

But Jason quickly discovers that spending all his time with a man nobody else can see or hear isn’t without its problems—especially when the tabloids find him again and make him front-page news. The local sheriff thinks he’s on drugs, and his best friend thinks he’s crazy. But Jason knows he hasn’t lost his mind. Too bad he can’t say the same thing about his heart.
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Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dual Book Review: Traditions by Ann Anderson

Reviewed by Ami and Nikyta

traditionsTitle: Traditions
Author: Ann Anderson
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Marcus & James
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 35 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: When Marcus and James started dating a few years ago, James invited Marcus home to spend the holidays with his close, Christmas-loving family. Marcus quickly realized once was enough, and since then, he’s stayed behind.

But this year will be different. Though the festivity and chaos make Marcus uncomfortable, he loves James, and he’s decided to put aside his unease so they can spend Christmas together—even if it means losing his hotel room to one of James’s siblings, braving the cold to go caroling, and battling the crowds so the children can visit Santa. It’ll all be worth it if Marcus can take his place in the family’s traditions—and maybe begin a new tradition for the two of them.
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Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, 4 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Of Mooning Santas and Penis Lights by Thianna Durston

Reviewed by Nikyta

of-mooning-santas-and-penis-lightsTitle: Of Mooning Santas and Penis Lights
Author: Thianna Durston
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: John &Kaden
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 39 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Former US Marine John Ving hates everything about holiday displays: they’re tacky, they waste energy, and they’re an eyesore. So what does his new neighbor do? He sets up the holiday spectacle from hell, and he doesn’t seem to care which holiday—he has a menorah, a baby Jesus, a Santa, and everything in between. Not to mention it’s swathed in enough lights his house is probably visible from space.

High-school teacher Kaden Melling loves the holidays, and huge light displays on his lawn make his heart glow. He’d love to share some cheer—and maybe some kinky fun—with his smoking hot neighbor John. Odd things start to happen to his displays, but just as he begins to think life is going his way, with the holidays and with John, a Grinch destroys everything.

It’s gonna take the display-hating John to set things right—and what he has planned might blow Kaden’s mind.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Book Review: Crashing the Party by Ginger Streusel

Reviewed by Ami

33003449Title: Crashing the Party
Author: Ginger Streusel
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Kale Green/Wes Armstrong
Genre: MM Holiday
Length: 24 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at:  Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Retail workers and evil never get a day off, and traveling printer salesman Kale Green is no exception. He might look like a Jolly Green Giant, but he can be a real Grinch. Working on the holidays can dampen anyone’s spirits, and on top of that, a sleepy Georgia town has it out for Kale and his car. From fender-benders to flat tires, Kale and his trusty company car Bessie suffer through it all.

While everyone else enjoys holiday parties, Kale drives down south to demo printers. Business is good, but on Christmas Eve, the weather turns bad. A few patches of ice put an end to Kale’s Christmas plans—a night alone with his video games. While Kale waits for the police, his only consolation is the company of fellow driver Wes Armstrong. As festive as a Christmas tree and as jolly as Kris Kringle, Wes proves unexpectedly charming. Kale never thought he’d crash right into a crush.

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Review: Okay, first of all KALE Green?!? Seriously, I need to question his parents’ idea of a name *laugh*. Poor Kale. His childhood was probably not fun. Anyway, this was a cute established relationship story – but the structure of it threw me off in the beginning.

See, the story opens with Kale calling his boyfriend’s house, and telling Wes that he will be there soon. But then then the scene changes to the previous year when Kale first met Wes. I was really confused because there wasn’t any ‘sign’ that it would switch into the past. In fact, I had to re-read the story from the beginning to make sure that it wasn’t a glitch somehow.

However, after I was familiarized with the structure, I was able to enjoy it. Kale has the worst luck when it comes to his car whenever he goes to South Georgia. But it also gives him the chance to meet Wes, who co-owns an automotive shop.

I thought they were cute together. Wes has a sunny disposition so it is easy to believe how Kale was charmed by him. Wes also teaches Kale a lot about cars! That part where Kale is so proud of being able to change the tire by himself amused me so much. Now that is a good relationship. *laugh*

In conclusion, I enjoyed this – and since Ginger Streusel is a new-to-me author, I might check out her other (or future) stories.

Overall Impression: I liked it

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*

Categories: 3.5 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Matthew’s Present by Sarah Hadley Brook

Reviewed by Nikyta

matthews-presentTitle: Matthew’s Present
Author: Sarah Hadley Brook
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Matthew & Tyler
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 23 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Matthew Blick is almost thirty years old, and he hates the thought of another holiday alone. He has become a bit of a wet blanket when Christmas rolls around every year. So much so that even his five-year-old niece, Hannah, knows something needs to change. She asks the department store Santa to bring her uncle a man to love, and when Santa sees her uncle, he formulates a plan to set that possibility in motion.

Santa shows up at Matthew’s house and at first Matthew can’t place him, but then the memories of his first kiss flood his mind and he is shocked to find that Santa is the man he has carried a torch for since high school. Will this twist of fate help Matthew change his view on the holidays? Only a kiss can tell.
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dual Book Review: Krampus Hates Christmas by Andi Van

Reviewed by Ami and Nikyta

krampus-hates-christmasTitle: Krampus Hates Christmas
Author: Andi Van
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Karl & Lewis
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 104 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Karl Kringle hates the modern-day Christmas. He was born to be Krampus, but the Holiday Council refuses to let him help his brother Nick—aka Santa Claus—with the Naughty List until he finds his holiday spirit. To meet that challenge, he’s turned human and dumped in a strange apartment.

Lewis Weatherby loves the holidays and always has. Not only do his parents own a pumpkin patch and tree farm, he’s also inherited a Christmas-themed shop. All he wants from Santa is the man of his dreams, and the Big Guy might’ve just delivered. Lewis’s new neighbor Karl is gorgeous, sweet, and has a fantastic sense of humor—if his jokes about being Krampus are any indication.

Soon getting home is less important to Karl than what will happen when Lewis inevitably realizes the truth behind his jokes. He’s finally starting to understand the real joy of the season—now he just has to figure out how to hold on to it.

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Anyplace Else by Kim Fielding

Reviewed by Ami

33001951Title: Anyplace Else
Author: Kim Fielding
Series: 2016 Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
Heroes: Grant Beaudoin/Predimir
Genre: MM Holiday
Length: 33 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2016
Available at:  Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Grant Beaudoin should be thrilled to escape Minneapolis at Christmastime and grateful to lounge on a Hawaiian beach. Instead he is mired in self-pity and drowning in too much tequila. His twin is marrying the perfect man, while Grant is stuck in middle management with no love life in sight. A walk into the rain forest leads to a meeting with a doomed man who has a story about a holiday that predates Christmas. Grant comes to realize that difficult endings can lead to new beginnings—and perhaps a brighter future.
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Categories: 2 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2016 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment